@ gfdonc
Are you attending the upcoming VCC Australia Day W/end at Buffalo?
If so, are you interested in accompanying me on a one day ascent (potential epic!), of Lord Gumtree? ~> If so, I bags's the crux pitch (kind of right-diagonally-upwards - adjacent/slightly above Big Grassy, but starting from below it).
☺

If gkdonc can't make it - I would be happy to accompany you M9. I've booked in for the 18-22nd, not sure if that overlaps - but I can move fast if you can. Otherwise, no probs, will be happy bumbling up whatever with whoever.

On 12/01/2014 IdratherbeclimbingM9 wrote:>If so, are you interested in accompanying me on a one day ascent (potential>epic!), of Lord Gumtree? ~> If so, I bags's the crux pitch (kind of right-diagonally-upwa>ds - adjacent/slightly above Big Grassy, but starting from below it).>☺
M9, I trust that you are going to do the original pitches below big grassy and not cheat by staying in Ozy up to that point. I've heard that many parties now avoid the original lower pitches for fear of the giant huntsman (apparently related to Shelob and that one from Harry Potter) that reputedly lurks there :)

I've done those original pitches of Lord Gumtree about 12 years ago and they were heavily vegetated (but fun). Bring a digging tool. At one stage the vegatated clump of grass I was standing on fell off - with me.

On 13/01/2014 gfdonc wrote:>3. You're really digging around the archives aren't you?>
Does that count as digging through the archives? A search for aid would probably still put this thread in the first search page in the entirety of Chocky history ;p

On 13/01/2014 kieranl wrote:>M9, I trust that you are going to do the original pitches below big grassy>and not cheat by staying in Ozy up to that point. I've heard that many>parties now avoid the original lower pitches for fear of the giant huntsman>(apparently related to Shelob and that one from Harry Potter) that reputedly>lurks there :)

Hmm.
It may be the same family member, but I have noticed the mega-huntsman at the 2nd belay (a totally hanging one), of Ozy. She actually is quite good at surprising belayers, as she waits till they are well ensconced before appearing...

Regarding 'cheating', I am surprised that you do not consider me a traditionalist, which dictates that I stay true to the original line.
In fact it is only in reading your post that any other option ever occurred to me!! - Though the exercise is mute, because I have led all of the lower pitches of both Ozy and LG already!

On 12/01/2014 goshen wrote:>If gkdonc can't make it - I would be happy to accompany you M9. I've booked in for the 18-22nd, not sure if that overlaps - but I can move fast if you can. Otherwise, no probs, will be happy bumbling up whatever with whoever.

Sorry, but I am there for 24/25/26/27 Jan, but thanks for the offer anyway.
~> I assume plenty of VCC will be there on your nominated dates, though aid might not be their first preference, ... unless pecheur is there then?
Heh, heh, heh.

On 13/01/2014 IdratherbeclimbingM9 wrote:>On 13/01/2014 kieranl wrote:>>M9, I trust that you are going to do the original pitches below big grassy>>and not cheat by staying in Ozy up to that point. I've heard that many>>parties now avoid the original lower pitches for fear of the giant huntsman>>(apparently related to Shelob and that one from Harry Potter) that reputedly>>lurks there :)>>Hmm.>Regarding 'cheating', I am surprised that you do not consider me a traditionalist,>which dictates that I stay true to the original line.
I do consider you a traditionalist which is why I started the post "I trust...". It was probably more for the benefit of others to emphasise that the routes do separate after pitch 1.

On 13/01/2014 kieranl wrote:>>... Though the exercise is mute, ...>A silent one-day ascent?>
No, a silent multi-day roped-solo.
I am only just now starting to explore the one-day ascent options...
~> It appeals only as a technical exercise, as I much prefer to take my time and appreciate the moments while I am there, so I can't see this current change of trend lasting any significant time for me.

On 13/01/2014 IdratherbeclimbingM9 wrote:>On 13/01/2014 kieranl wrote:>>>... Though the exercise is mute, ...>>A silent one-day ascent?>>>No, a silent multi-day roped-solo.>I am only just now starting to explore the one-day ascent options...>~> It appeals only as a technical exercise, as I much prefer to take my>time and appreciate the moments while I am there, so I can't see this current>change of trend lasting any significant time for me.
Probably only one day :)